A Year of Messy Church

We have been doing Messy Church for a year now, and we hope that you will agree it’s been a huge success. We have had lots of fun making lots of mess, with people of all ages! We have learned a lot, with Bible stories from creation, to the feeding of the five thousand. And talking of feeding, we have enjoyed some wonderful meals created by our hard working kitchen team, with lots of cake too. Thank you to everyone who works so hard to make Messy Church happen, and so much fun as well!

We have met lots of new people, with up to 80 coming some weeks. Here are some of the things they have told us they liked:

* Everyone is very welcoming and friendly

* It is good to spend time as a family

* It is nice to be reminded how much God loves me.

* I feel like this is my church

Next Saturday (the 28^th July) we will be meeting at Aberdour beach (weather permitting) and will be playing games, building sand castles, and hopefully enjoying some sun. If you would like to come, meet us there at 4 pm, and bring a packed tea.

The ‘normal’ Messy Church programme will resume on the 29^th of September. We hope to see you then, for lots more messy fun!

Messy Church logo copyright Bible Reading Fellowship 2011

Athens Link Update

An update from Iain and Norma on their recent visit to Athens Link Fellowship:

Our visit to Athens Link (ALF) 21st June to 3rd July was very busy but productive.

The Lord is really blessing the scene at our sister church. There  is a real sense of rich anointing on the work. The church is now 2 years old and is becoming stronger in its foundations. Quality people are committing themselves to ALF and there is a real heart for outreach and to be part of a real ‘unity church base’ in the University town.

We ministered at the Athens weekly meetings and also The Potters House, (the Atlanta Mission ministry to addicts) and Dave Staton’s two Methodist churches in Winder and Corinth – the Winder Church has doubled in numbers and is very ‘full of life’ – praise the Lord!

There is a live contact between ALF and ministries from Bethel Church, California (Bill Johnston’s scene).  A recent Love after Marriage course was very meaningful, and ALF members are going through a church Training and Development course from Bethel with a view to leading the course in the future.

Members of ALF are overseas missioning in Mozambique with Heidi Baker, Estonia and of course the Moore’s are heading for Bali as fulltime missionaries in January.

There is a real desire to develop the Link between Athens and Dunfermline and there was muted the possibility of a team from Dunfermline visiting ALF next July.

Keep on praying for the touch of the Lord on the ALF scene.

Iain and Norma

Iain teaching on Wednesday night

 Norma teaching on Sunday

 With Jason and Julie Gunby - Jason is one of the leaders of the Potter's House

Mary Walsh showing areas where ALF are involved in World Missions

 A few photos with old friends....

Many of us have been praying for Diann Floyd (on the right of the photo below) as she has been undergoing treatment for cancer. Iain and Norma had a meal with her and Wayne - Diann is recovering well and is full of life and joy!

A friend of Diana on her first visit to ALF

 It wasn't all hard work!

Home from Pakistan

Andrew Turnbull returned home from Pakistan yesterday following an exciting and challenging trip where he and his friend Andrew saw God at work in many ways and in many different lives. Andrew is feeling much better, having been unwell for several days during the time in Pakistan. He has some amazing stories to tell and we look forward to hearing them soon!

Andrew thanks everyone for their prayers during his time in Pakistan, he was able to sense that people were praying for them and can testify that those prayers were answered.